Trauma Is Real

• Ep 18. Intersection of Music & Healing (with Dr. Adrienne Kennedy)

  In this episode of The Trauma is Real, Dr. Adrienne Kennedy shares her powerful journey from child welfare and education to becoming a DJ, exploring how music, joy, and community play vital roles in healing.With over two decades of experience, she challenges the label "at-risk youth," advocating instead for "strategically undervalued," and underscores the impact of consistent mentorship—especially for youth in foster care. Dr. Kennedy also dives into her work promoting antiracist, trauma-responsive practices in education and youth services.The Intersection of Music and Healing (3:30)Redefining Language Around Youth (8:36)Building Community Through Music and Advocacy (15:12)Building Lasting Relationships for Youth Empowerment (20:00)Transformative Outcomes for Youth in Foster Care (23:01)Integrating Creative Outlets in Trauma Healing (28:51)Friends of the Children and the launch of the Columbus chapter.You can learn more about Dr. Kennedy here. Interested in supporting Friends of the Children? Head to this link to give and be sure to write "Columbus chapter" in the message box to ensure your donation goes directly to their efforts.

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• Ep 17. Building Endurance In Educators (with Lori Desautels)

  In this episode of Trauma is Real, Sarah speaks with Dr. Lori Desautels about the significance of applied educational neuroscience and its impact on educators and students. The conversation explores the importance of understanding adult nervous systems, the challenges of navigating compliance in educational settings, and the shift from behaviorism to a more trauma-informed approach. In this episode:The Importance of Adult Nervous Systems (6:05)The Shift from Behaviorism to Understanding Trauma (11:56)Building Endurance in Educators (15:08)Integrating Micro-Moments into Data Collection (21:13)Personal Anchors and Community Building (23:58)Stories of Transformation in Education (26:49)Learn more about Dr. Desautels here.

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• Ep 16. Finding Purpose After Trauma (with Nick Prefontaine)

  Welcome back to Trauma Is Real! In this conversation, Sarah is speaking with Nick Prefontaine about his profound journey of healing from a traumatic brain injury sustained during a snowboarding accident at the age of 14. He discusses the pivotal moments that contributed to his recovery, including the importance of support, trust, energy, and persistence, encapsulated in his STEP system. Nick emphasizes the significance of stillness and self-care in the healing process, and how purpose plays a crucial role in overcoming trauma. The STEP System (7:13)The Importance of Purpose in Healing (20:05)The Role of Stillness in Healing (26:36)The Power of Self Care (32:05)Send questions about this episode to [email protected].

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• Ep 15. Play As An Intervention (with Kelsie Olds)

  "Play is the intervention, not the reward."​ In this episode, ​Sarah is speaking with occupational therapist Kelsie​ Olds about the importance of understanding children's perspectives through play. ​​They highlight how sensory processing and imaginative play support learning, emotional regulation, and healing​,​ as well as its role in coping with trauma​.Kelsie is an occupational therapist and author working both on- and offline to share knowledge widely about the ways that children grow, develop, and learn.Importance of Sensory Processing (9:52)Play as a Neural Exercise (13:45)Play as an Intervention, Not a Reward (17:33)Healing Power of Imagination (32:14)Importance of Belonging and Safety (37:45)Learn more about Kelsie here, and check out their book Autistic God.

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• Ep 14. Rest, Recovery & Joy (with Octavia Raheem)

  In this episode of Trauma Is Real, Sarah is joined by Octavia Raheem to explore the profound importance of rest in healing from trauma. They discuss how pausing and being present can create a collective ripple of rest that fosters safety and ease. Octavia shares her insights on the challenges of slowing down, the impact of trauma on the body, and the necessity of curiosity over judgment in self-reflection. The conversation also touches on the role of playfulness in the healing process, emphasizing the need for intentionality in finding joy amidst the journey of rest and recovery.Octavia Raheem is an award-winning author, rest coach, restorative yoga nidra, meditation teacher, and speaker. You can learn more about her work here. ​Practice of Pausing & Resting (5:47)​Curiosity vs. Judgement in Self-Reflection (17:25)​Importance of Rest and Joy (34:00)​Interrupting the Cycle of Burnout (41:00)Have questions or comments about this week’s episode? Share them here: [email protected].

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